Best wishes for a great mate: Slater

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Billy Slater knows how lucky he is to come home from training everyday and walk into the house to his wife and kids.

That is why he completely understands his teammate’s decision to leave Melbourne at the end of the year.

Cooper Cronk announced he would re-locate to Sydney at the end of the 2017 season to be closer to his fiancée and start to build a life after his football career.

The champion halfback went over to Slater’s house on Monday, where he confirmed that after 15 years together as teammates, their time together in Melbourne would be coming to an end.

“I am lucky enough to have my family well entrenched here in Melbourne, I am very fortunate,” Slater said.

“Coop made that point to me when he told me at my house, he said that ‘If I was able to have what you have here, I’d be here.’

“I fully understand his decision. If it was a football thing he would be here but it is not, it is a personal thing. He wants to start a family, he wants to live with his fiancée and I fully understand that, I wish him all the best.”

Slater and Cronk will be crucial to Sunday’s Grand Final rematch against the Sharks.

Kick-off is at 4pm at AAMI Park with kids receiving free entry into the game. Adults are also being offered a 20% discount tickets if they pre-purchase tickets online.